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Legislative Women’s Caucus Receives Early Learning Champions Award

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Early Edge Recognizes Women’s Caucus Leadership on Behalf of Children and Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2017

Contact:
Diana Chun
dchun@earlyedgecalifornia.org
(925) 858-6853

Women’s Caucus receives Early Learning Champions Award

(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Early Edge presented the California Legislative Women’s Caucus with the Early Learning Champions Award for outstanding leadership in quality early care and education for young children and their families.

“It remains a priority for the Women’s Caucus to support early care and education, and a strong workforce for early childhood care,” said Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus. “Providing quality opportunities is simply a must-do to ensure the success of today’s young children, women, and working families while also ensuring we have adequately prepared our own future workforce to be competitive in a global market.”

“We’re honored to receive the Early Learning Champions Award as we continue to stand with young children and families across the state.” said Senator Connie M. Leyva, Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus. “A sustainable future in California cannot happen without investing in the early care and education of our youngest residents.”

Early Edge presented the award during the Legislative Women’s Caucus membership meeting at the California State Capitol Building. Following the award ceremony, each member’s office received an award in recognition of their role in supporting early learning.

“The Women’s Caucus has been a powerful voice for young children, and their parents, caregivers, and teachers, during key budget and policy discussions,” said Deborah Kong, director of Early Edge. “These are leaders who understand that we must address the need for quality early learning to ensure California’s women, workforce, and next generation have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Early Edge applauded the Women’s Caucus leadership and collaboration with both houses, which helped to ensure the 2016-17 California State Budget included significant multiyear investments to expand early childhood opportunities, sustain the infrastructure of early education and care programs, and set the stage for advances in quality teaching and learning in the future.

In response to the Governor’s proposed 2017-18 budget released in January, the Women’s Caucus once again renewed their commitment to early care and education.

The Early Learning Champion Awards are presented annually by Early Edge.

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Early Edge, an initiative of The Early Learning Lab, advances quality early education so children can be happy, healthy, engaged learners by their first day of school and every day after. Since 2003, Early Edge has successfully advocated for groundbreaking early childhood policies, from creating transitional kindergarten to securing funding necessary to improve early learning programs.